Cytokine Levels In Group Research Articles

NEUROENDOCRINE AND IMMUNE INTERACTION IN AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS

The purpose of the study is to elucidate the interrelationships and notable correlations among the indicators of hormonal regulation, immune status, and markers of neurodegeneration in patients diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis. The study enrolled a total of 170 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (divided subclinical and manifest form). Control group consist of 65 people without thyroid pathologies or other autoimmune diseases. The examination of cytokine profiles in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis revealed a significant increase in cytokine levels in groups of patients with subclinical and manifest forms of the disease compared to the control group. The analysis of antibody levels in patients with different clinical forms of hypothyroidism revealed that the median concentration of Ab-nDNA was significantly higher in patients with a manifest form of the disease compared to those with a subclinical group. According to an assessment of neuron-spesific enolase levels in the blood plasma of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis significantly compared to control group. Furthermore, a study examining the concentration of neuron-spesific enolase in patients with different clinical forms of autoimmune thyroiditis revealed that individuals with a subclinical form of the disease had statistically significant increase (p=0.042) in the value of this parameter. Our study results revealed significant changes in immunological parameters and markers of neurodegeneration in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis alongside hormonal imbalance.

Aqueous Humor Cytokines in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Background and Objectives: Cytokines are cell-signaling proteins whose identification may serve as inflammatory markers or early indicators for progressive disease. The aim of our study was to quantify several cytokines in aqueous humor (AH) and their correlations with biochemical parameters in diabetic eyes with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Materials and Methods: A total of 62 eyes from 62 patients were included in the study: 37 eyes from nondiabetic patients (group 1), 13 diabetic eyes with no retinopathy changes (group 2) and 12 diabetic eyes with early and moderate NPDR (group 3). AH samples were collected during uneventful cataract surgery. The cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-α and VEGF were quantified using multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Due to unreliable results, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-12 were excluded. Concentrations were compared between groups. Biochemical parameters (fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, C-reactive protein) and the duration of diabetes were recorded. Results: VEGF levels were significantly different between groups (p = 0.001), while levels of IL-6, IL-8, IP-10 and MCP-1 were comparable across all groups (p > 0.05). IL-6 concentration correlated with VEGF in group 1 (rho = 0.651, p = 0.003) and group 3 (rho = 0.857, p = 0.007); no correlation could be proved between IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1 or VEGF and biochemical parameters. Duration of diabetes was not correlated with the cytokine levels in groups 2 and 3. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that VEGF concentrations could discriminate early and moderate NPDR from diabetes, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.897 (p = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.74–1.0). Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus induces significant intraocular changes in the VEGF expression in diabetic patients vs. normal subjects, even before proliferative complications appear. VEGF was increasingly expressed once the diabetes progressed from no retinopathy to early or moderate retinopathy.

Endosulfan Increases IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α Production in Pregnant Rats and Causes Fetal Brain Cell Apoptosis

Endosulfan is a persistent organic pollutant commonly used as an insecticide in Indonesia. It has been reported to cause teratogenic effects, i.e., to decrease humoral activity, produce inflammation, and induce apoptosis in various type of cells. This study investigated the effect of endosulfan on the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in rats (Rattus norvegicus), as well as the incidence of fetal brain cell apoptosis. This experiment was carried out on pregnant rats divided into 4 groups: negative control (I), endosulfan: 1 mg/kg (II), 10 mg/kg (III), and 50 mg/kg (IV). The solution of endosulfan was given daily during the 20-day test period. Rat serum was collected for the measurement of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α using the ELISA kit. Fetal rat brains were taken and stained with Annexin V for apoptosis detection. The proinflammatory cytokine levels in Groups II, III, and IV were higher than in Group I, with significant increases of IL-1β (p = 0.016), IL-6 (p = 0.009), IL-17 (p < 0.001), and TNF-α (p < 0.001). The intensity of Annexin V in 4 groups of rats showed that the incidence of apoptosis increased with increasing endosulfan doses. In conclusion, the administration of endosulfan in pregnant rats increased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α and triggered apoptosis in fetal brain cells.

Hypothermia does Reduce Postoperative Adhesions: Reply

Sir, We thank Binda et al. for their interest in our study ‘‘Peritoneal infusion with cold saline decreased postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation’’ [1]. Our results do confirm the Binda et al. study that temperature change may affect adhesion formation in a laparoscopic mouse model [2]. Both studies showed that hypothermia reduces postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation. Concerning the impact of cold saline infusion upon body temperature, we used continuous dripping of 4 C normal saline into the abdominal cavity until the cold saline ran out. The effect will be limited in the abdominal cavity; its effects on superficial layer or entire body are undetermined. We did not examine the changes of mesothelium; it would be valuable for another study to demonstrate the reaction of mesothelium. Our cytokine level is calculated as mean and standard deviation. Due to limited space, we did not provide those data. Blood sampling for cytokines in this study is at days 1, 3, 7, and 14. It is unclear whether days 7 or 6 have the highest level of cytokines. However, it is generally agreed that peritoneal repair is complete after 7 days. The levels of cytokines in group III is nearly the one to four times those of group IV; we are not sure it is only slightly changed of cytokines. Finally, we do appreciate the excellent comments to clarify some intriguing issues and make the study of postoperative adhesion perfect.

The Impact of Sex Steroids Inhibiter on Thymic Function Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on the protection of thymic function after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods Established model of allogenic murine HSCT (C57BL/6→BALB/c). The severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) was assessed by a clinical scoring system that incorporates five clinical parameters: weight loss, posture, activity, fur texture and skin integrity. The intra-cellular levels of interferon-γ (INFγ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in thymocyte were analyzed by protein array and thymic function was evaluated by quantification of signaljoint TCR rearrangement excision circles (sjTRECs).Results Recipients in group A (allogenic mice), B( allogenic LHRH castrated-mice) and C (syngenic mice) all attained hematopoiesis reconstitution. White blood cell counts of mice in groups A, B and C were over 1.0×109/L on day (10.60±1.34), day (9.40±0.55) and day (9.40±0.89), respectively. There was no significant difference among the time of hematopoiesis reconstitution in three groups. The time of acute GVHD occuring was on day +11±0.5 and +14±0.5 posttransplantation, respectively, in groups A and B, and all mice had acute GVHD with the incidence of 100% in groups A and B. The average scores of acute GVHD in groups A and B were (1.56±0.51) and (0.92±0.49), respectively. Acute GVHD scores in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P=0.000). The levels of INFγ, TNFα and IL-1β in control groups were 1.67±1.76 ng/ml, 1.69±1.07 pg/ml and 5.55±3.56 pg/ml, respectively. The levels of INFγ in groups A, B and C were (10.74±2.55) ng/ml,(6.81±2.33) ng/ml and (5.52±3.96) ng/ml, respectively. The levels of TNFα were (7.51±2.89) pg/ml, (4.30±0.63) pg/ml and (3.36±2.31) pg/ml, respectively. The levels of IL-1β were (25.83±8.91) pg/ml, (19.33±3.03) pg/ml and (11.94±4.00) pg/ml, respectively. There were significant differences in the levels of cytokines between group A and the control group (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000). The levels of cytokines in group B were significantly higher than those of control group (P 0.010,0.037,0.000). The levels of INFγ in group C were significantly higher than those of the control group (P=0.044). Among groups A, B and C, there were significant differences in the levels of INFγ, TNFα and IL-1β (P=0.001,0.000,0.000). The levels of INFγ and TNFα in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P=0.041,0.013). The levels of INFγ, TNFα and IL-1β in group A were significantly higher than those in group C (P=0.009, 0.002, 0.000). The analysis of linear regression showed that the average levels of INFγ paralled with aGVHD scores (r2 0.363,P=0.038). The average sjTRECs copies/1000 PBMNCs were (39.41±44.68) in the control group and (12.29±13.02), (58.01±71.82) and (19.61±14.59) in groups A, B and C, respectively. There was no significant difference in the multiple comparisons of peripheral blood levels of sjTRECs among these four groups (P=0.575).Conclusion INFγ ATNFα and IL-1β might be involved in the damage to the thymus by acute GVHD. Sex steroid inhibitor can not only reduce the severity of thymic damage after allo-HSCT, but also reduce the severity of aGVHD and the mechanism might be associated with the reduction of intracellular levels of INFγ and TNFα in thymocyte.

Inflammatory cytokines in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective An association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and inflammation has been described in several studies. The aim of this study was to search for the presence of low-grade inflammation in a special group of insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes, and to investigate a possible correlation between inflammation and obesity, glucose homeostasis and insulin requirement (IU insulin/kg body weight, BW). Methods We studied 85 subjects with type 2 diabetes that were receiving insulin treatment (group A) and 32 receiving sulfonylurea treatment (group B), and 57 subjects without diabetes (group C). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the soluble TNF-α receptors sTNFR-60 and sTNFR-80 were measured in serum samples taken from all patients. Results The mean serum cytokine levels in group A vs. group B were: IL-6, 8.54 ± 11 vs. 2.71 ± 1.9 pg/ml ( p = 0.000); TNF-α, 14.33 ± 24 vs. 5.12 ± 15 pg/ml ( p = 0.016); sTNFR60, 3.9 ± 2.8 vs. 2.36 ± 1.4 ng/ml ( p = 0.000); and sTNFR80, 11.9 ± 7 vs. 9.4 ± 6 ng/ml ( p = 0.080). The mean serum cytokine levels in group A vs. group C were: IL-6, 8.54 ± 11 vs. 4.74 ± 7 pg/ml ( p = 0.017); TNF-α, 14.33 ± 24 vs. 5.94 ± 3.4 pg/ml ( p = 0.003); sTNFR60, 3.9 ± 2.8 vs. 2.54 ± 1.4 ng/ml ( p = 0.000); and sTNFR80, 11.9 ± 7 vs. 10.85 ± 8 ng/ml ( p = 0.470). A positive association between waist circumference and IL-6 ( r = 0.165, p = 0.030) and sTNFR-60 ( r = 0.276, p = 0.000) was detected. A significant correlation coefficient was observed between haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and both IL-6 ( r = 0.278, p = 0.000) and sTNFR-60 ( r = 0.293, p = 0.000), when the groups were studied as one. No correlation between inflammation and units of insulin/kg BW was found. In conclusion, low-grade chronic inflammation, as estimated by the relative levels of inflammatory cytokines, was present in patients with type 2 diabetes that were receiving insulin treatment, with significantly higher cytokine levels recorded compared to sulfonylurea-treated patients. In addition, an association between inflammation and both obesity and glucose homeostasis was detected.

Cytokine levels in groups of patients with different duration of chronic secretory otitis

Chronic secretory otitis relates to the permanent presence of secretion in the middle ear for more than 3 months. The reason why applied therapy is often ineffective is that, for now, etiopathogenic molecular mechanisms responsible for the cause and the course of the secretory process in the mucus of the middle ear have not been precisely defined. Cytokines are the key mediators in middle ear inflammation with secretory otitis and regulating different inflammation states can add to the cause of the molecular processes that lead to hystopathological changes in mucus and submucus characteristically for the chronic state of secretory otitis. The aim of our work was to define the pro-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and allergy-associated cytokine levels in middle ear secretion samples of diseased children and to compare the defined values with the secretory process continuance in groups of patients who were diseased for more or less than 3 months. According to the results that have showed higher concentration of all ten examined cytokines in the secretion samples of the children who had secretory otitis for a longer time, it can be concluded that the disturbance expression regulation of the pro-inflammatory TNFalpha, TNFbeta, IL1beta, IFNgamma, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as immunoregulatory IL-2 and IL-10, and allergy associated cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 relating to the hyper production can add to the conversion of the inflammatory process to the chronic state, which has been maintained for longer than 3 months.